Articles | English Grammar In An Easy Way

What is an article in English? Well, let’s start off by defining what we mean when we talk about ‘articles’. It can be a tricky concept for children to grasp, so it’s important to be well-versed in them before you begin teaching.

Table of Contents

Articles-Definition

Articles are words that come before nouns and help us to understand something specific or something in general. ‘A’ and ‘an’ are used for non-specific nouns, while ‘the’ is used for particular nouns.

Articles-Types

Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. There are three types of articles in English: Definite articles (“the”), Indefinite articles (“a” and “an”), and Zero Article/zero determiner. Here’s a breakdown of their usage with examples:

1.1. Definite Articles -Examples With Explanation

It is used before a specific noun, indicating that the speaker and listener know what is being referred to.

Examples:

S.No	Definite article Examples	Explanation
1.	He bought the car he always wanted.	In this case, “the” is a definite article, specifying a particular car that both the speaker and listener know about.
2.	They visited the Eiffel Tower during their trip to Paris.	Here, “the” is used before the specific noun “Eiffel Tower” because it refers to a particular landmark.
3.	The sun rises in the east.	“The” is used because we are referring to a specific sun that rises in the east, a universally known fact.
4.	We are going to the movie tonight.	“The” is used here because the speaker and listener both know which specific movie they are talking about, likely based on a previous conversation or context.
5.	The moon orbits around Earth.	“The” is used before “moon” because there is only one moon that orbits around Earth.
6.	She is the tallest girl in the class.	“The” is used before “tallest” because it refers to the highest degree of comparison, making the noun (“girl”) specific.
7.	It was the best day of my life.	“The” is used before “best” because it indicates the most superior day in the speaker’s life, making it a specific and unique event.
8.	The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth.	“The” is used because it refers to the specific Pacific Ocean, a well-known and unique body of water.
9.	The Nile River flows through several African countries.	“The” is used because it refers to the specific Nile River, a well-known river.
10.	The Great Wall of China is visible from space.	“The” is used before the “Great Wall” because it refers to the specific and well-known structure in China.

2. Indefinite Articles -Examples With Explanation

“A” is used before words that begin with a consonant sound. “An” is used before words that start with a vowel sound.

Examples:

S.No	Indefinite article Examples	Explanation
1.	I saw a cat in the garden.	Here, “A” is an indefinite article, indicating any cat, not a specific one.
2.	She wants to be an astronaut when she grows up.	“An” is also an indefinite article, used before the singular noun “book.”
3.	Can you pass me a pencil?	“A” is used before the nonspecific noun “pencil.”
4.	He wants to buy an umbrella.	“An” is used before “umbrella” because it refers to any umbrella, not a specific one.
5.	She is a doctor.	“A” is used before “doctor” because it refers to any person in the occupation of a doctor, not a specific doctor.
6.	Can I have a piece of cake?	“A” is used before “piece” because it refers to any unspecified piece of cake, not a specific one.
7.	She needs an idea for her project.	“An” is used before “idea” because it refers to any general idea, not a specific one.
8.	He is an honest person.	“An” is used before “honest” because it starts with a vowel sound.
9.	She ate an apple for breakfast.	“An” is used before “apple” because it starts with a vowel sound.
10.	She met a Canadian tourist at the museum.	“A” is used before “Canadian” because it refers to any Canadian tourist, not a specific one.

3. Zero Article/zero determiner-Examples With Explanation

Sometimes, no article is used before a noun. This is known as the zero article. It usually occurs with plural or uncountable nouns when we talk about them in a general sense.